Inmarsat and Iridium

VSAT is not the only option when it comes to satellite communication solution for yachts:Inmarsat was the first satellite communication system available for vessels. The latest generation, Fleet Broadband launched in 2007, offers high speed data communication with data transfer speed up to 432 kbps.
Iridium is a low orbit satellite system, with 66 satellites (+spare satellites). This is the only system offering true global coverage. The Iridium phones are available both as portable handheld terminals and as marine terminals. The Iridium phones have been popular as a backup to Inmarsat or VSAT system. The data speed has so far been limited, but this has changed with the resent launch of the Iridium Openport system.

IRIDIUM OPENPORT

Introducing Iridium’s new maritime voice and data service  Iridium OpenPort  the world’s first global, high-speed network specifically engineered for the marine market. Iridium OpenPort offers true IP connectivity with up to three phone lines available for simultaneous use. Equipment is easy to install and surprisingly affordable. Iridium OpenPort delivers more bandwidth at a better price to your customers and their fleets.

IRIDIUM OPENPORT OFFERS:

Three separate phone lines

High-speed data

Flexible and attractive pricing packages

Lightweight, low-profile satellite antenna

Data

Antenna Size

Antenna Weight

Iridium Openport

9.6-128 kbps

57x23cm

11kg

SAILOR FLEET BROADBAND · INMARSAT

With the newly launched Inmarsat Fleet Broadband antennas from Sailor, broadband data is available through the Inmarsat satellite system. With near global coverage and compact antennas, the Fleet Broadband system is the system of choice for all yachts doing extensive cruising. - Either as a standalone system, or as a backup to VSAT.

The Fleet Broadband system is charged /Mbyte used, and the prices have been significantly reduced compared to the previous Inmarsat Fleet system.

3 different antennas are available with FB150:

Data

Speed

Dome diameter

Antenna Weight

Sailor Fleet Broadband 150

150 kbps

27,5 cm

3.9kg

Sailor Fleet Broadband 250

284 kbps

27,5 cm

4,2kg

Sailor Fleet Broadband 500

432 kbps

63cm

16kg

THURAYA

With coverage for Europe, Middle and Far East, Thuraya has become a popular satellite service especially in the Middle East. The system is available with compact hand-held dual-band satellite and GSM phones. A marine version is also available.